Pickle ball players get more courts

Wednesday

Apr 12, 2017 at 3:20 PMApr 12, 2017 at 3:20 PM

A large contingent of pickle ball players will have more courts to play on this summer after Dennis selectmen approved a plan Tuesday for two new dual tennis/pickle courts at Seaview Park. Town Meeting approved the courts in 2014, but problems on the site forced moving the site plan for the courts twice.

The new site is off Lower County Road near a playground and an adjacent parking lot, Recreation Director Dustin Pineau said. The site plan review committee has approved the plans, which are ready to go out to bid on April 27.

The two courts will be lined for both tennis and pickle ball, which Pineau described as “the fastest growing sport in America.” He noted there are often 25 people waiting to play pickle ball on the only other courts in town at Johnny Kelley Park. Four pickle ball courts can be lined on two tennis courts. “This is a great opportunity to have dual purpose courts,” Pineau said.

Selectman Chairwoman Sheryl McMahon was the only one who objected to the project, saying that tennis courts will spoil the vista from the park, which was a Land Bank project acquired for a park. However, when the vote came, McMahon voted with the others in favor of the courts and the group of pickle ball players in the audience applauded.